ODAN – Kate Monahan Outdoors

Winter Camping: Improvised Shelter Lesson

snowshoe adventures Mew Lake Campground winter camping

The sun peeked through the cracks where our tarps didn’t overlap.

Abbreviated Trip Report: ODAN Canoe Trip

You may find it hard to believe, but before last weekend I’d never paddled in Algonquin Park.

Career Change: Climbing the Learning Curve

It’s been five years since I decided to apply to Algonquin College’s ODAN program. Five. Years. It’s been three years since I graduated. I’ve felt like I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants since then, constantly working my way up the learning curve of new roles and a new industry.

Back to School Adventures

Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley lessons learned

It’s not what you think.

I Can Cook. Now Help Me With The Tarp.

Wind blew the rain into our camp kitchen. We were mostly dry, as dry as we could be after kayaking all day in a steady rain, thanks to the strategically-hung tarp overhead. The leaders decided to push off a day the Iron Chef ODAN edition competition to allow we weary paddlers a chance to makeContinue reading “I Can Cook. Now Help Me With The Tarp.”

Highland Backpacking Trail

Here are a few shots from my 3-day backpacking trip in Algonquin Park on the Highland Backpacking Trail. I took them via a pretty terrible point-and-shoot as this trip was for a course with Algonquin College. I didn’t feel I could afford to spend the time fussing with my DSLR. We started with 30 degreeContinue reading “Highland Backpacking Trail”

Search and Rescue

We spent most of a Thursday reviewing map and compass skills as well as discussing in big broad strokes the search and rescue function primarily as it stands in the province of Ontario. By 2:30 we were itching for a scenario. We broke ourselves into search and rescue teams of three, a first aid team,Continue reading “Search and Rescue”

Maps, Compasses, and GPS

I used to hang the map inserts from our National Geographic subscription for decoration on my walls. I’ve received 2 globes in my life as gifts: once from my parents for my kindergarten graduation and a much needed update many years later from another family member. I’d spin it and spend hours imagining what lifeContinue reading “Maps, Compasses, and GPS”

Rock Wall, Challenge and High Ropes Courses

I stepped gingerly into two circles of black nylon webbing, cinched them around my quads and double-backed their tails through the buckles so that they appeared (c)losed rather than (o)pen.

River Touring: Sea Kayaking

Day One: Thursday started off chilly, close to the freezing mark but with warmer temperatures on the way. We sat shivering in our stinky, damp borrowed wetsuits in the amphitheater at WT, listening to Greg introduce his co-instructors Steve and Eric and watching a few short videos on ocean kayaking to give us some perspective.Continue reading “River Touring: Sea Kayaking”